PJM Grid Constraint Classification Dashboard

Zone-level constraint analysis with DER investment recommendations
2025
Analysis Year
201,480
LMP Data Points
21
Zones Analyzed
Transmission: 9 Generation: 1 Both: 1 Unconstrained: 10
Classification Distribution

Interactive Constraint Map

Zone Classifications & Scores

Click a row to expand DER recommendations. Click column headers to sort.

Zone Classification T-Score G-Score Congestion $/MWh Max Congestion Constrained Hrs % Annual Hrs
AECOtransmission0.52470.4650$7.10$121.1759.3%5,197
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
AEPunconstrained0.36270.4254$3.17$125.9637.9%3,320
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
APSunconstrained0.33930.4101$2.98$106.3938.1%3,340
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
ATSIunconstrained0.38190.4000$3.54$109.4634.2%2,993
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
BGEunconstrained0.48250.4900$8.80$232.9264.0%5,611
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
COMEDboth0.52500.6000$9.02$170.6664.6%5,659
Zones with both transmission and generation constraints benefit from a diversified DER portfolio. Dispatchable resources handle acute congestion events while consistent resources address the structural supply deficit.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Addresses acute congestion and generation shortfalls
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces chronic load, easing both transmission and generation stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local supply during daylight hours
DAYunconstrained0.36960.4294$3.44$125.1236.5%3,202
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
DEOKunconstrained0.36780.4569$3.50$127.1637.1%3,251
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
DOMtransmission0.74170.4403$11.76$348.8065.1%5,702
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
DPLtransmission0.68900.4937$10.02$251.7261.9%5,421
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
DUQunconstrained0.38350.4183$3.78$116.6933.5%2,933
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
EKPCunconstrained0.40990.4853$3.13$128.4136.7%3,214
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
JCPLtransmission0.51410.4620$6.78$122.8458.3%5,108
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
METEDunconstrained0.43910.4410$6.22$128.3655.6%4,869
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
OVECgeneration0.37270.5047$3.56$134.2936.9%3,236
Generation-constrained zones lack sufficient local supply. Consistent resources reduce demand permanently, easing the supply gap. Variable resources add local generation capacity.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization, Combined Heat & Power
Permanently reduces demand, closing the local supply gap
SecondaryvariableSolar PV, Wind
Adds local generation to offset imports
TertiarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Provides capacity during generation shortfalls
PECOtransmission0.54440.4475$7.31$114.0059.8%5,238
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
PENELECunconstrained0.45330.4327$6.56$119.5767.2%5,888
Unconstrained zones have adequate transmission and generation. Consistent resources provide long-term value through load reduction. DER investment priority is lower here relative to constrained zones.
PrimaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered)
Cost-effective load reduction with steady EAC generation
SecondaryvariableSolar PV
Clean energy addition with moderate grid benefit
PEPCOtransmission0.50840.4749$8.12$238.8161.9%5,422
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
PPLtransmission0.53600.4519$7.51$100.7868.2%5,978
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
PSEGtransmission0.53570.4603$6.85$121.2760.7%5,320
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)
RECOtransmission0.54710.4438$7.44$112.2274.4%6,518
Transmission-constrained zones have flow limits on power lines. Dispatchable resources reduce peak flows by providing local supply or reducing demand during congestion events. Consistent resources lower baseline load, reducing the magnitude of peak flows.
PrimarydispatchableBattery Storage, Demand Response
Dispatches during congestion events to reduce line loading
SecondaryconsistentEnergy Efficiency (Metered), Weatherization
Reduces baseline load, lowering chronic transmission stress
TertiaryvariableSolar PV
Adds local generation (value depends on coincidence with peak congestion)

Data Center Overlay

1,124
PJM Data Centers
48,884 MW
Estimated Total Capacity
760
Operational
364
Proposed

Growth Pressure Zones

These grid-constrained zones have significant proposed data center growth:

Zone Classification Total DCs Operational Proposed Construction Est. MW Top County
AEPunconstrained27121501,908Franklin
ATSIunconstrained927010ERIE
COMEDboth63501301,874Cook
DAYunconstrained90901,125FAYETTE
DEOKunconstrained1367096WARREN
DOMtransmission925620305043,122Loudoun
DPLtransmission9900113New Castle
JCPLtransmission121020111Passaic
METEDunconstrained11005Berks
PECOtransmission761035Montgomery
PPLtransmission431090Northampton
PSEGtransmission454140395Hudson

Visualizations

Transmission vs Generation Scores

Score Comparison

Congestion Heatmap

Congestion Heatmap

Monthly Congestion Trends

Monthly Trends

Scoring Methodology

Transmission Score

Weighted composite of congestion-based metrics:

Congestion Ratio|congestion| / |LMP|30%
Congestion VolatilityStd dev of congestion prices25%
Congested Hours %Hours with |congestion| > $2/MWh25%
Peak/Off-Peak RatioPeak vs off-peak congestion20%

Generation Score

Weighted composite of energy-price metrics:

Energy DeviationZone vs system energy price35%
Energy VolatilityEnergy price std/mean30%
Loss ComponentMarginal loss ratio20%
High Energy Hours %Hours > avg + $3/MWh15%

Classification Rules

both T-score ≥ 0.5 AND G-score ≥ 0.5
transmission T-score ≥ 0.5 AND G-score < 0.5
generation T-score < 0.5 AND G-score ≥ 0.5
unconstrained T-score < 0.5 AND G-score < 0.5